Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a heartfelt, poetic coming-of-age story that beautifully explores identity, friendship, family, and first love - especially through a queer, Mexican American lens. The characters feel genuine and deeply relatable, making it easy to get caught up in their journey of self-discovery and acceptance. With stellar dialogue, loving families, and a lyrical but approachable writing style (plus some great humor), it's perfect for teens, young adults, and anyone drawn to realistic fiction with LGBTQ+ and Latinx representation. If you love emotional journeys, slow, character-focused plots, or books like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda," this is a must-read.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you prefer fast-paced, plot-heavy stories, this book might feel a bit slow or uneventful, as much of the focus is on personal growth and character introspection. Some readers find the writing style - short, simple sentences and lots of dialogue - a bit awkward or lacking in depth. Others didn't relate to Ari's persistent angst and felt that some emotional developments (especially the ending) happened a little too quickly or neatly. If teen angst or stories that lean heavily on dialogue over action aren't your thing, or you dislike open explorations of sexuality and emotional vulnerability, this might not be for you.
About:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a poignant coming-of-age story that follows the journey of two teenage boys, Aristotle and Dante, as they navigate through friendship, love, self-discovery, and acceptance. The novel beautifully captures the complexities of adolescence, Mexican American heritage, and LGBTQ+ experiences through the genuine and evolving relationship between the two protagonists. The writing style is described as lyrical, heartfelt, and introspective, delving into themes of identity, family dynamics, and personal growth with a mix of humor, melancholy, and compassion.
The plot unfolds as Aristotle, a loner searching for his identity, forms an unexpected bond with Dante, another loner who offers to teach him how to swim. Over time, their friendship deepens, leading them to unravel profound truths about themselves and the world around them. Through poetic prose and genuine character interactions, the book explores the nuances of teenage emotions, cultural heritage, and the universal quest for understanding life's mysteries.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are references to homophobic violence, family in prison, and PTSD, which may be triggering for some readers.
Has Romance?
The budding romance between Aristotle and Dante is central to the plot, developing as their friendship deepens.
From The Publisher:
2013 Printz Honor Book
2013 Pura Belpre Author Award Winner
2013 Stonewall Book Award Winner
Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When they meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the two loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special kind of friendship-the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime.
Ratings (199)
Incredible (59) | |
Loved It (64) | |
Liked It (44) | |
It Was OK (20) | |
Did Not Like (11) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (372):
Read It (212) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (117) | |
Did Not Finish (6) | |
Not Interested (35) |
9 comment(s)
There is a deftness to how the variability is handled that had me awed thru most of the book. It's disarming and personal. Intimate and awkward but ultimately understandable and relatable. It's all the thoughts you think but don't dare to let others hear. But here. Here in this book it was safe.
Sweet coming of age story that reminded me of my own uncomfortable growing-up pains and made me reminisce on what’s really important.
4.5⭐️
I’ve read this 6 times through and I’ve loved it every time. It made me cry and laugh and relate to someone so much like myself. I usually hate 1st person, less detailed narration, and non-action books, but this is a philosophical and relatable experience with characters that simply feel human. There is no soul crushing guilt or crazy insane torment or loss needed to get emotions out of you overused in books, but instead a boy who define himself past an invisible, sad person when be becomes not that
This book was beautiful. I loved the perspective that it had and how it dealt with the issues presented in it. The characters were developed, and the way the relationship grew throughout the novel was amazing.
Pense que iba a ir sobre filosofía pero es la historia de un par de chavales en una ciudad por ahi.
Es una historia de niños convirtiéndose en hombres, y de aprender a ser tu mismo.
Esta escrito en primera persona y la cantidad de introspección del protagonista es lo que mas me ha gustado, la trama es realmente una excusa para avanzar su mundo interior, ahi es donde el verdadero drama esta ocurriendo.
It wasn't really the kind of books i read
How is this so highly rated?
The writing was a little repetitive and I found Ari to be insufferable and annoying but I loved Dante so much.
What can you read after
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe?
About the Author:
Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an author of poetry and prose for adults and teens. He was the first Hispanic winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and a recipient of the American Book Award for his books for adults. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was a Printz Honor Book, the Stonewall Award winner, the Pura Belpré Award winner, the Lambda Literary Award winner, and a finalist for the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award. His first novel for teens, Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood, was an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His second book for teens, He Forgot to Say Goodbye, won the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, the Southwest Book Award, and was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. He lives in El Paso, Texas.
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